Passport gone through wash!!!

demon8991 · 20 Sep 2009 at 17:27

My passport was left in my pocket and has gone through the wash!!!

Has this ever happened to anyone else?

Do you have to get a new one or will it still work? Mine has the electronic swipe thing in it.

Van Hellseek · 20 Sep 2009 at 17:29

Nice one.

Flare · 20 Sep 2009 at 17:30

this happened to my old passport (one with the corner cut off) and it got pretty ruined, i think your going to have to get a new passport, unless you're lucky. That should set you back a lovely *edit* £77.50

deano_deano · 20 Sep 2009 at 17:31

lol unlucky

not a clue if it will still work but good luck with getting it sorted.

Check those pockets next time!

jp_bl_68 · 20 Sep 2009 at 17:35

If all your information is still clearly visible, ie. there could be no mistake about what is actually printed on that page, you might be OK. This happened to a friend of mine. He was still able to use it as ID when he went to the pub but I don't think he ever tried to travel with it after that.

You could try calling the Identity and Passport Service. They've probably dealt with this plenty of times before:

http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/rde/xchg/ips_live/hs.xsl/contact_us.htm

Good luck.

Van Hellseek · 20 Sep 2009 at 17:39

jp_bl_68 said:
If all your information is still clearly visible, ie. there could be no mistake about what is actually printed on that page, you might be OK.

Hardly worth the risk though is it. Just order a replacement.

jp_bl_68 · 20 Sep 2009 at 17:43

seek said:
Hardly worth the risk though is it.

Definitely. But give the Passport people a call before you do anything.

demon8991 · 20 Sep 2009 at 17:53

jp_bl_68 said:
Definitely. But give the Passport people a call before you do anything.

What will they advise me though, surely they will just say get a new one.

jp_bl_68 · 20 Sep 2009 at 17:55

Very possibly. But if a new one is going to cost you £100/£150 (?) then it's worth giving them a call just to be certain.

JBuk · 20 Sep 2009 at 18:03

If it's damaged then you will have to buy a new one

Flare · 20 Sep 2009 at 18:04

jp_bl_68 said:
Very possibly. But if a new one is going to cost you £100/£150 (?) then it's worth giving them a call just to be certain.

i just double checked and its £77.50
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8138285.stm

demon8991 · 20 Sep 2009 at 18:04

Price is £80 with special delivery.

Datamonkey · 20 Sep 2009 at 18:27

I would replace it lol, you wont make that mistake again i hope.

Better to replace than say book a £500 hol. Arrive at the airport to be told to sling your hook as the passport is in a bad way.

You could still use the old one when going out though if needs be??

Tripnologist · 20 Sep 2009 at 18:38

Not a great example really, but on that airplane show (whatever it's called), there was a lady who was denied boarding because her passport had gone through the wash.

Charlie Bravo · 20 Sep 2009 at 19:26

I used to work on check in at Stansted some years ago and we were always wary of passports that had been through the wash. The problem is, the plastic on the photo page starts to peel away and that brings the integrity of the photo into question.

You are just better off stumping up the cash for a new one rather than deal with any problems it may cause at the airport.

Delvis · 20 Sep 2009 at 19:29

Just don't forget...You have to buy a replacement,and not a new passport

Even though a replacement is more expensive

demon8991 · 20 Sep 2009 at 19:39

Right ive completed the form online and they are sending me the forms within 1-4 working days. It is much quicker than doing it at the post office. Plus my writing is appauling!

Stringy · 20 Sep 2009 at 19:56

Can you not get to a passport office (without spending too much time/money negating the benefits of making such a trip) to get their opinion before you splash the cash?

Caseh · 20 Sep 2009 at 21:48

Mines been through the washer twice. Been to the passport office, and they have said there is no need to replace it, as it's in good enough condition.

How lucky was I on that weekend?

El Jimben · 20 Sep 2009 at 21:54

I did this about a month before I went travelling for 6 months :rolleyes:

I got a new one as I didn't want to risk it but I reckon it would've been ok. Just leave it somewhere to dry and whatever you do, DON'T try and seperate any of the pages as you'll totally ruin it, you will be able to do this when it's dried anyway.